When the Marconi V2 broadcast receiver was introduced in 1922 it was expected that headphones would be used to listen to the programmes. Many listeners, however, preferred to use a loudspeaker and Marconi added the A2 amplifier to allow this. The complete outfit, including receiver, amplifier, batteries and loudspeaker, cost around £50, a large sum of money in the mid-1920s. This amplifier has been well-maintained and was acquired with a V2 receiver from the same donor. The two together form an excellent example of the kind of equipment available to better-off listeners at the start of BBC broadcasts.